Razor blade sharpener



Oct 21, 1947! F. R. CHESTER A 2,429,307

RAZOR BLADEv SHARPENEB Filed sept. e, 1944 2 sheets-sheet i INVENT OR.

Oct. 21, 41947.

F. R. CHESTER RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER Filed Sept. 6, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. He/VK f?. /ffrE/Q ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 21, 1947 gaat? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAZOR BLADE SHARPENER Frank R. Chester, Manhattan Beach, Calif. Application September 6, 1944, Serial No. 552,875

Claims. l

My present invention relates to a razor blade Sharpener.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a razor blade Sharpener which is particularly simple and economical of construction, one which is particularly simple to operate, and one which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a razor blade Sharpener in which the razor blades of substantially all ordinary makes of safety razors may be sharpened, and in which such blades may b e easily and quickly secured in place, and also easily and quickly removed therefrom.

An important object also of this invention is to provide a razor blade Sharpener in which a unitary mechanism is provided for moving the blade to be sharpened over an abrasive sharpening means, and also shifting or oscillating the blade for alternately sharpening both sides of one edge, such movements being produced by a circular motion imparted to the blade carrier.

A further important object of this invention is to provide novel means for causing shifting movement of the blade carrier or holder so as to cause ready engagement of both sides of an edge of the blade on the carrier or holder alternately with two spaced apart abrasive sharpening members.

A still further important object of this invention is the provision of a cord for operating'the Sharpener, and means in association therewith to facilitate endwise movement of a blade Carrier operating spool or sheave, and the consequent shifting of the edge of the blade on the carrier or holder, operated by the spool or sheave, against the abrasive members.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, I have devised a razor blade Sharpener having certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of my Sharpener in a preferred form, and its position on a iiexible cord, over and by which it is to be operated;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the lower portion of the Sharpener, with the section taken substantially through 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig.` 3 is a transverse sectional View thereof, taken through 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the razor blade carrier, or holder; y Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view thereof,

taken through 5-5 of Fig. 2, showing particularly the spool or sheave mounting for operating the blade carrier or holder;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of another type of razor blade which may be sharpened in my Sharpener, and showing vthe approximate relation of the blade fastening means thereto, for fastening the blade to the carrier or holder;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a slightly modified form of construction of the means of my sharpener for moving the blade holder;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view thereof and,

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view thereof, taken through 9 9 of Fig. 7.

My razor blade Sharpener, as shown in Figs. l to 5 of the drawings, is enclosed in a case consisting of bottom and cover case members. The bottom case has a sheet metal member l. which is hinged at one side to the sidev 2a of a sheet metal cover member 2. The bottom case member consists of the member I and a body member 3, which may be made of plastic. The mer'nber 3 is of U-shape, as shown in Fig. 2, and forms the front and end portions of the lower caseV member. The member I extends over the rear portion of the bottom of the member 3, as shown best in Fig. 3 and by dotted lines in Fig. 2.` The casing members are held in closed positions by a resilient latch 2b at the side opposite the hinge.

The razor blade carrier or holder, shown best in Fig. 4, is formed of sheet metal and is provided with tubular hinge portions, or eyes la into the outer ends of which extend pins 5a of a rocker 5. This rocker '5 is a at member having trunnions 5b extending outwardly beyond its ends from its lower portion. These trunnions are rotatably mounted in ears Ia struck upwardly from theY bottom of the casing member l.

In the opening between the connecting portion 3a and the legs 3b of the U-shaped casing member 3 is positioned a spool or sheave 6 which is rotatably mounted on a spindle or pin 1 secured to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the casing member I. This sheave is adapted to be rotated about the pin by a, cord 3 extending from the ends of the case through the leg portions 3b of the member 3. The intermediate portion of the cord is wrapped with one convolution around the sheave 6, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, While the cord 8 is held taut, the movement of the case along the cord causes the sheave to be rotated.

The blade carrier or holder ll is positioned directly over the sheave and is pivotally connected at its median portion between its ends to the pin 6a carried by the upper face of the sheave eccentrically with respect to the axis of its bore, thus forming a crank portion at the upper end of the sheave. The underside of the head of the pin (ia is ,semi-ball shaped and it fits into =a semispherical recess if near the free edge Aof the blade carrier or holder.

Rotation of the sheave E causes rotary movement of the holder, and results substantially in lengthwise reciprocation of the holder '4 on or with respect to the rocker ,5, .RQtation tof-bhe sheave E in the manner stated Valso causes axial movement of the sheave on the ^pin l, by reason of the spiral frictional winding of the cord .on the sheave. This causes the holder 4 to be oscillated Aabout the pins,.,5hi of the rocker 5. The movement of the holder thus requires a ballpoint .between .the rotating sheave 6 and` the holder A, as described above.

To facilitate endwise or axial movement of the sheave 6 on the pin 1, inorder to increase the engaging force of the blade A upon the abrasive Ymembers .9 and l, the pin .l may .be `secured to Vthercase member I` at aslight angle, the inclination being toward one end of .the case, as `shown in exaggerated Vform in Fig. 5.

The blade A which is Vto be sharpened `is removably positioned onor `against the upper ,face of the carrier or holder v4., `the vblade shown in Figs. 2 and ,3 being a conventional two-edged blade. It is held, in position by cylindrically shaped portions 4b .at the `ends or springdike members 4C provided at `the opposite ends of the free portion .of the holder 4. .One edge of .the 'blade v.is located by an upwardly turned flange Ild .near the pivoted .edge of .the holdenand the enlarged portions 4b extend through the central slot `A1 of the blade A, and at the .ends .of said slot, .and resilientlv force the blades .against the flange 4b.. The Qylindrical Portion 4b urges the blade against `the .flange 4d. The other `or free edge of the blade .extends beyond the .carrier or holder and .this free edge is adapted to engage the adjacent sidcsiof said abrasive members or hohes 3 and 1.0 the former being secured within `and at thefree portion .of the cover 2, While the .latter is `.Secured .t0 the .member L3 tof the lower easemember. Theadjacentsicles ofthe abrasive .orlhone members .9 .and ,lll may be provided with .serrations 9a and `i 0a., respectively. As the Ablade A kis drawn vacross both abrasive or hone members. at the angle shown in Fie. .3, by rea-son `.of the circular movement of ,the holder .4, as described above, .both sides Vof one edge of the razorblade .are sharpened.

As the case ismoved in the direction .of the arrow, shown in Fig. 5, .the nature .of the wind.- .ing .01.1 the Sheave .G will ,cause .the sheave to be moved ...upwardly- This vvllcause ,the blade A .to be .shifted against the abrasive member .9. Movementof .the case .91.1 .the cord. in .the Adirectifm `oppositetothat ofthe arrow .will have the opposite eieot upon the .sheave in `.serially ,shifting .the same Ydmvnwardlyon.the pin.

T he razor blade 413, shownin Fie. ,6 has a reinforced portion B1 at one edge. .',Iheholder 4 has an elongated .recess 14e for receiving .this enlarged reinforcing portion .131.. The Ysaine portions Aab of the springs 4 enter notches .B2 .at the ends 4 of the blade B for securing the latter in position on the blade holder.

It is obvious from the above description that the cord 8 over which the Sharpener case is drawn in opposite directions may be held taut by securing one end of the cord on a, xed object and holding the other end in one hand, while holding the case in the other hand and drawing such case over the cord.

the modification :shown in Figs. '7, 8, and 9, lthere is vprovided a central 'sheave or spool I5 and sheaves or spools IE at either side thereof. The axes of these spools are positioned parallel 4.andar-e located in the same plane extending vertically through the longitudinal portion of the case. V"'Jlil'ley are so positioned that the cord 8 extends consecutively Aaround one side of one end sheave l' aroundit-he opposite side of the center vsheave 15, and around the opposite side of the .a .disc .19, and theupper face 4of the disc lies in the .same plane as theupperaces-fof the ,sheaves VL6, Each ofthe sheaves le .and the disc .le have eccentric Vvpins il), all of which .extend through thecarrieror-holder A,2| for rotating the same, resulting in reciprocating the same with respect to the abrasive members as the sheaves 1&6 -areirotated .The carrier is preferably secured to .the pins '2-0 by riveting :the endsof-the;1atter.

I=t-wi1l be here notedth-at the sheaves lrotate inthe opposite direction rfrom the sheaves l5, .but the disc 1.9 vwhich is ,ilooselgyimounted over the upper sheave l'l-l, permits the carrier .to :be moved -without interference .with the opposite rotation of the .sl-leave 14.5.

Ihelegsor 'flanges of the; slide i8 are provided .with fangular .slots .1,8% through which extend pins .22., .which are secu-red transversely through the ,portionvZ-.or the base rer-lower easemember. *The slide laisalso rcciprocally mounted on this :portion of .the base.

.As the case is moved ncpnositedirections, the ,sheaves l5 and 116 -arerota-ted in .the vopposite directions, but themoving force, causing such rotation, -Willvalso .cause .thesupport IB to be moved with respect to Athe Asupporting base `23 and on :the pl-ns'22 thereon, causing the rvsupport i8 to be raised and lowered and thereiore causing the blade carrier, mounted thereon to be raised and low-ered, and the blade A'thereon to be alternately forced against the adjacent inclined faces of the abrasive members t24 and 25.

Though I vhave shown and described a particular construction, combination, andarrangement of parts and portions, and a-certain modification thereof, I do not Wish to be limited to the same, but desire toinclude inthe scope of my invention the construction, combination, and arrange ment, substantially as set forthin the appended claims.

AIclaim:

1. In a .razor blade Sharpener, a supporting means, .spaced `abrasive surface means thereon, a sheave means carried by the supporting means, means for rotating and axially reciprocating said sheave means, a razor blade carrier, crank means on the l,sheave means connected to the carrier for Aing a razor blade and moving an edge thereof alternately over said abrasive surface means.

3. In a, razor blade sharpener, a supporting means, spaced abrasive surface means thereon, a sh'eave means carried by the supporting means, a razor blade carrier, crank means connecting the sheave means to the carrier, said carrier being capable of holding a razor blade, and means for rotating said sheave means alternately in opposite directions and for shifting said carrier and sheave means alternately in opposite direction axially with respect to the sheave means, an edge of said blade being capable of being moved alternately over said abrasive members.

4. In a razor blade Sharpener, a supporting means, spaced abrasive surface means thereon, a sheave means carried by the supporting means, a razor blade carrier, crank means connecting the sheave means to the carrier, said carrier being capable of holding a razor blade, a cord extending through the supporting means for rotating said sheave means alternately in opposite directions and for shifting said carrier and sheave means alternately in opposite directions axially with respect to the sheave means, an edge of said blade being capable of being moved alternately over said abrasive surface means.

5. In a razor blade Sharpener, a supporting means, spaced abrasive members thereon, a sheave, means for rotating and axially reciprocating the sheave, a rocker pivotally mounted on the supporting means on an axis at substantially a right angle to the axis of the sheave, and a razor blade carrier probably mounted at one edge on the free portion of the rocker, said sheave having a crank connected to the carrier for reciprocating the same with respect to and rocking the same about the rocker, said carrier being capable of holding a razor blade and moving an edge thereof alternately over said abrasive members.

6. In a razor blade Sharpener, a supporting means, spaced abrasive members thereon, a sheave, a cord extending through said supporting means for rotating and axially reciprocating the sheave means, a rocker pivotally mounted on the supporting means on an axis at substantially a right angle to the axis of the sheave, and a razor blade carrier pivotally mounted at one edge on the free portion of the rocker, said sheave having a crank connected to the carrier for reciprocating the same with respect to and rocking the same about the rocker, said carrier ybeing capable of holding a razor blade and moving an edge thereof alternately over said abrasive members.

7. In a razor blade Sharpener, a supporting means, spaced abrasive members thereon, a sheave rotatably and axially reciprocally mounted thereon on an axis inclined at a slight angle to the perpendicular to the plane between the abrasive members, said inclination being in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the abrasive members, means for rotating and axially reciprocating the sheave, a rocker pivotally mounted on the supporting means on an axis at substantially a right angle to the axis ofthe sheave, and a razor blade carrier pivotally mounted at one edge on the free portion of the rocker, said sheave having a crank connected to the carrier for reciprocatingthe same with respect to and rock- Capable of holding a razor blade and moving an edge thereof alternately over said abrasive members. v

8. In a razor blade Sharpener, a supporting means, spaced abrasive members thereon, a sheave rotatably and axially reciprocally mounted thereon on an axis inclined-at a slight angle to the perpendicular tothe plane between the abrasive members, said inclination -being in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the abrasive members, a cord extending through said supporting means for rotating and axially reciprocating the sheave, a rocker pivotally mounted on the base on an axis at substantially a right angle to the axis 0f the sheave, and a razor blade carrier pivotally mount-ed at one edge on the free portion of the rocker, said sheave having a crank connected `to the carrier for reciprocating the same with respect to and rocking the same about the rocker, said carrier being capable of holding a razor blade and moving an edge thereof alternateli7 over said abrasive members.

9. In a razor blade Sharpener, a supporting means, a slide reciprocally mounted on the supporting means in such a manner as to be alternately raised and lowered as the slide is reciprocated, a plurality of sheaves rotatably mounted on the slide on axes perpendicular to the plane of reciprocation thereof, a cord laced around each of said sheaves, a disc mounted at the upper end of an intermediate sheave, a razor blade carrier mounted on the upper ends of two of the sheaves and the disc, crank means connecting the latter sheaves and disc to said carrier, and spaced apart abrasive members on the supporting means, said carrier being capable of holding a razor blade and moving an edge thereof alternately over said abrasive members.

l0. In a razor blade Sharpener, a supporting means, a slide reciprocally mounted on the supporting means in such a manner as to be alternately raised and lowered as the slide is reciprocated, two end sheaves and an intermediate sheave rotatably mounted on the slide on axes perpendicular to the plane of reciprocation thereof, the axes lying substantially in the same plane,

a cord laced around each of said sheaves, causing f the end sheaves to be rotated in the same direction, a disc mounted at the upper end of the intermediate sheave, a razor blade carrier mounted on the upper ends of the end sheaves and the disc, crank means connecting said end sheaves and disc tc said carrier, and spaced apart abrasive members on the supporting means, said carrier being capable of holding a razor blade and moving an edge thereof alternately over said abrasive members.

11. In a razor blade Sharpener of the class described, a supporting means, abrasive surface means thereon, a blade carrier, crank means carried by the supporting means and connected to the carrier for moving the latter in a circular path in substantially the plane of the blade, and means for arcuately moving and axially reciprocating the crank, said carrier being capable of holding a blade and moving the same in said arcuate path over the abrasive surface means.

12. In a razor blade Sharpener, a supporting means, spaced abrasive surface means thereon, a

razor blade carrier, crank means carried by the supporting means and connected to the carrier for moving the latter in a circular path in substantially the plane of the blade, and means for arcuately movingrand axially reciprocating the crank, said carrier being capable of holding a razor blade and moving an edge thereof alternately over the spaced apart abrasive surface means.

13. In a razor blade Sharpener, a supporting means, a spaced abrasive surface means thereon, a razor blade carrier, crank means carried by the supporting means and connected to the carrier for moving the latter ina circular vpath in substantially the plane of the blade, and means for rotating and axially reciprocating the crank, said carrier being capable of holding a razor blade and moving an edge thereof alternately over the spaced apart abrasive surface means.

14. In a razor blade Sharpener of the class described, a supporting means, abrasive surface means thereon, a blade carrier, crank means carried by the supporting means and connected to the carrier for moving the latter in a circular path in substantially the plane of the blade, means for arcuately moving and axially reciprocating the crank, and means in connection with the carrier for moving the same with respect to the support against and from the abrasive surface means, said carrier being capable of holding a blade and 'moving thesame in said'arcuate pat-ii over die abrasive surface Vmeans when moved thereagaiiist .by said moving means.

15. In a razor blade Sharpener, a supporting means, spaced abrasive surface means thereon, a. razor 'blade carrier crank means carried by the supporting means and connected to the carrier for moving' the latter in a circular path in silbstantialiy the plane of the blade, means for arcu- 'ately moving and axially reciprocating the crank,

. REFERENCES CITED The following referencesv are of record in tlie viiie of this patenti UNiTED STATES PATENTS Number l Name late 2,048,869 Johnston July 28, 1936 2,088,111 Johnston July 27, 1937 Re. 20,805 Souczek Y July 19, 1938 2,307,931 Korenyi Jan. l2, i943 

